The power of good work . . . CCP updates

Registration Opens for CCP's 2018 Conference on March 6!

With uncertainty at the federal level and significant challenges at the state level, this is a time for creativity, collaboration, and leadership. Join CCP and colleagues for this year's day-long conference.

The 2018 CCP Conference will bring together 300+ representatives of philanthropic organizations, and other colleagues from across the state to inspire emboldened leadership and collaboration in CT's philanthropic community. The Conference will feature two keynotes, networking, break-out sessions, CCP's Annual Meeting, and the presentation of the Roberts Innovation in Philanthropy Award. Learn more >>

Membership: The power of good investments

“One of my personal and professional areas of interest and expertise is Social Impact Investing. CCP has been a great resource in helping me connect with local and national organizations doing this work. I have made many new connections to organizations, other funders and nonprofit leaders that have been a source of inspiration and innovation and with whom I have already begun to collaborate.”

Leadership: The power of good investments

“Why the Connecticut Health Foundation proudly makes a leadership gift to the Council for Philanthropy? – We know that leadership can drive change even more than dollars, and it is our belief in the Connecticut Council’s mission to be a catalytic force for philanthropy that we are pleased to partner with the Council in advancing equity in Connecticut.”

Join the Connecticut Team and foundations from across the country at Foundations on the Hill. Following a tough 2017, it's more important than ever for us to come together, hone our messaging, and bring a strong, collective voice to Capitol Hill. We must share our stories and demonstrate the value and impact of the work of the charitable sector.

Foundations on the Hill 2018: March 12-14, 2018
Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) brings together foundation leaders from across the country for meetings with Congress about key issues of importance to foundations and philanthropy. FOTH is presented by United Philanthropy Forum, in partnership with the Alliance for Charitable Reform and Council on Foundations. CCP will be organizing a Connecticut delegation for this most critical year in Washington, DC. Learn more >>

PolicyWorks Institute 2018: March 11-12, 2018
The PolicyWorks Institute is the one opportunity each year for regional and national philanthropy-serving organizations to take a “deep dive” together to strengthen their policy and advocacy work in philanthropy. This year's Institute will be held in conjunction with Foundations on the Hill (FOTH). Learn more >>

FEDERAL BUDGET, TAX LAW

National Council of Nonprofits' Nonprofit Advocacy Matters (2/12/18): Last Friday, Congress passed and the President signed a bill that combines an unusual collection of federal fiscal actions. Key features of the bill include:

Continuing Resolution to keep the federal government open through March 23, 2018.

Defense and nondefense discretionary spending

Spending Decisions for Emergency Funds and Infrastructure

Healthcare Programs

Tax law changes including a provision exempting Newman’s Own Foundation from the private foundation excess business holding tax.

Debt ceiling and removal of fiscal restraints

On Monday, the Trump Administration released the President’s annual budget blueprint of spending proposals for Congress to consider as it develops appropriations bills for fiscal year 2019 that begins October 1, 2018.

The power of good networks . . . CCP program & network meeting calendar

Register by February 26!

When: Thursday, March 1, 2018
Program: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Where: United Way of Greater New Haven, New Haven

Connecticut's opioid epidemic is a complex public health crisis that is ravaging families and damaging our communities. While it often seems hopeless, there are successful interventions and opportunities to make a positive impact.

If your foundation funds health and/or human services, your grantees are likely dealing with the opioid crisis and the wide-ranging damage of addiction.

This panel discussion will help funders better understand the crisis here in Connecticut, learn about the positive work that is unfolding and the role that funders are playing in this work. The panel will be introduced by Jeanette Weldon, Executive Director, Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority.

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving's Nonprofit Support Program recently undertook a study of consultant diversity in the region, led by consultant, Michael Negron. The report focuses on what it would take to expand and diversify the pool of consultants working with the region’s nonprofits. The report recommends sharing information with potential partners with the goal of identifying next steps. Join colleagues in a robust discussion that will include how philanthropy can work together to address the study’s findings. Lunch will be provided.

MEETING MODERATOR

Annemarie Riemer
Director
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving's Nonprofit Support Program

FEATURED PROGRAM:

CCP's interactive Philanthropy 101 series provides a historical overview of philanthropy, reviews foundation governance and legal issues, explains the grantmaking process, debates current big issues in philanthropy, and explores roles and power dynamics. Philanthropy 101 takes place over five monthly modules that build on each other. The series is for staff who are newer to the field or anyone who is interested in a refresher. It is open to all disciplines including those who work in grantmaking and those who support the work in their administrative, financial, human resources, and trustee roles.

All sessions will take place on Friday mornings, 9:30am - 12pm, at the Graustein Memorial Fund in Hamden.

Riverfront Recapture has announced a new initiative called the Riverfront Innovation Fund (RIF) designed to provide seed money for new Riverfront projects and programs. They are seeking creative proposals that will generate revenue to sustain Riverfront ’s mission to “Connect people with the Connecticut River.” RIF will support enterprises and infrastructure ideas that capitalize on the organization’s strengths, attract visitors to Hartford and East Hartford’s riverfront parks and Riverwalk trail system, and foster creative community connections.

Connecticut Green & Healthy Homes Funder’s Roundtable

FEBRUARY 23: 9:30 am - 12:00 pm: Connecticut Green Bank, Rocky Hill
Join Connecticut Green Bank and partners for a dynamic conversation convened by fellow philanthropic organizations, to discuss strategies for investment in support of evidence-based housing, health and energy interventions, designed to measurably improve outcomes for Connecticut families. The goal of the meeting is to develop sustainable support for statewide housing, health and energy services in Connecticut by leveraging strategic investments from the private, philanthropic and public sectors. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Catherine Klinger, cklinger@ghhi.org or 410-534-6455.

FEBRUARY 23: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm: Yale School of Management, New Haven
The Yale Philanthropy Conference is an interdisciplinary forum for current and future leaders focused on the business of social change. Now in its fourteenth year, the Yale Philanthropy Conference is the only convening of the nonprofit and philanthropic sector planned entirely by MBA students. Keynote Speakers are Aaron Dorfman, president and CEO of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP); and Andrea Levere, president of Prosperity Now (formerly CFED).

Everyday Democracy helps communities with an adaptable engagement process that builds capacity for inclusive dialogue and positive change. Their ultimate aim is to create a national civic infrastructure and democracy that supports and values everyone’s voice and participation. Because structural racism and other structural inequities affect communities everywhere, they help community groups use an “equity lens” in every phase of dialogue and change – coalition building, messaging, recruitment, issue framing, facilitation, and linking the results of their dialogues to action and change. They provide advice, training and flexible how-to resources on a wide range of issues – including poverty, racial equity, education, building strong neighborhoods, community-police relations, violence, early childhood, and community planning.

The webinar will explore Everyday Democracy's approach to change through dialogue and action. They will give an overview to how the process works, what kinds of results they've seen from using the approach, and share a few stories from communities we have worked with.

MARCH 2: 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Webinar
Funders' Collaborative on Youth Organizing, along with its co-sponsors, The Aspen Institute, The California Endowment, The Cricket Island Foundation, The Edward W. Hazen Foundation, andPhilanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE), invites youth organizers and funders to a webinar on introducing their latest report: Transforming Young People and Communities: New Findings on the Impacts of Youth Organizing. The webinar will highlight emerging research across various studies on how involvement in youth organizing contributes to the social-emotional and academic development of young people in powerful ways, while also promoting their civic and community engagement, particularly for young people living in low-income communities and communities of color.

MARCH 8: 3:00 - 5:00 PM, Norwich Inn, Norwich
Join The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut on International Women's Day for a rich conversation with leaders and advocates on strategies to move forward with a community agenda on gender equity and equality. Panelists will include: Starsheemar Byrum of Unity Wing at ECSU; Connecticut Senator Mae Flexor; Karla Fortunato of Connecticut Council for Philanthropy; Jim Horan of CT Association of Human Services; Chief Lynn Malerba of the Mohegan Tribe; and Kris Wraight of Safe Futures.

Nonprofit Finance Fund's State of the Nonprofit Sector survey is now collecting responses. The survey is a widely cited barometer of US nonprofits' programmatic, management, and financial health. The survey takes about 25 minutes to complete and doesn't have to be completed all at once. Please share this survey with your grantees. Responses are due by February 21.

The power of good connections . . . Member news

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

We welcome New Canaan-based Grace Farms Foundation as a new CCP member! Grace Farms Foundation supports initiatives in the areas of nature, arts, justice, community, and faith, and encourages participation on a local, national, and global level. The Foundation carries out its work principally through the publicly available facilities and integrated programs of Grace Farms, an 80-acre property owned and operated by the Foundation, where individuals and not-for-profit organizations can come together to collaborate for good. In lieu of monetary support, Grace Farms Foundation offers the gift of space to not-for-profit organizations and government entities whose missions align with one or more of their five initiatives - nature, arts, justice, community, and faith. By serving as a nexus for these organizations, Grace Farms seeks to foster collaboration, promote charitable work, and contribute to human flourishing. Sharon Prince is the foundation president and Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick is the director of community initiatives. You can view additional staff and contact information in their CCP member directory listing >>

We welcome back as a member the Greenwich-based, The Common Sense Fund, who promotes action both on the environment and in the arts that is practical, creative, and addresses social needs. Incorporated in 1983, The Foundation's mission honors Sy and Sybil Schwartz. Their environmental mission comes from the example set by Sy who, during his long career as a real estate developer, understood each project within its environmental context, and applied creative and practical techniques to preserve the land and its resources. The Foundation supports environmental change through education, policy initiatives, promotion of carbon-free energy sources, and stewardship of natural resources. Adlyn Loewenthal is the foundation president. The Foundation's recent work includes support of the Sustainable Connecticut Initiative >>

MEMBER LEADERSHIP

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Eric Rosengren visited Connecticut on February 6 to congratulate Connecticut Working Cities Challenge implementation award winners. Danbury, East Hartford, Hartford, Middletown, and Waterbury will each receive $450,000 grants to execute proposals created as part of the Working Cities Challenge, a program designed to lead communities through a rigorous process that builds cross-sector collaboration and works toward solving issues impacting the lives of lower-income residents. Read more >>

Save the date for a celebration gathering on Monday, March 5 in Hartford.

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, in conjunction with researchers at DataHaven, have developed their first Report on the Status of Women and Girls in Eastern Connecticut. They've examined the conditions affecting women and girls in 5 key areas: economic security, education, workforce development, wellness and wellbeing, and disparities in leadership opportunities.

Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation has released, Community Crossroads, an extensive research project focused on the demographic composition of their communities – now and in the future – and core community wellbeing indicators, such as housing, employment, education, healthcare and crime. The purpose of the report is to educate community stakeholders and inspire community discourse to help build collaborative strategies to protect and enhance the welfare of our region.

Connecticut Health and Development Institute, a subsidiary of Children's Fund of Connecticut, is collaborating with the Connecticut Health Foundation to support a study group working to develop new models to pay for pediatric primary care. The work has a very simple goal: find ways to ensure that the way we pay for pediatric primary care encourages health promotion and prevention practices that will improve lifelong outcomes for children. The group includes includes health care providers, insurance companies, and officials from state health agencies. Learn more >>

In honor of what would have been Paul Newman's 93rd birthday, the Newman's Own Foundation is launching its #Newmanitatian project. A Newmanitarian is someone who gives back just because it’s the right thing to do. You don’t have to be a millionaire, founder of a food company, a famous actor or racecar driver to give back. Newman’s Own Foundation wants to celebrate how each of us helps to make the world a better place through small acts of kindness. Post a story with a photo or video on social media with #Newmanitarian. Visit newmanitarian.org to learn more.

The power of good ideas . . . New resources

EDUCATION/EQUITY

The Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy's study, Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive K-12 Schools: A New Call for Philanthropic Support, makes the case for philanthropic investment in racially, culturally and socioeconomically diverse K-12 public schools. It offers an overview of work in this field, its evolution, its growing popularity, supportive research base and hopeful contemporary examples. The report provides a variety of paths for funders to support this work in ways that align with common philanthropic strategies and priorities.

GIVING CIRCLES

Collective Giving Research Group's, The State of Giving Circles Today,gives the top 10 findings on the scope and scale of giving circles and collective giving. The two-year study has yielded a variety of important insights into the state of the field today, including how participation in a giving circle impacts a donors’ giving and civic engagement.

The power of good ideas . . . Trends and perspectives

The power of good people . . . Colleague news

Are you new to your organization or have you received a promotion, certification or award? Have you presented at a conference or event or have you published a blog or report? Send your news and a photo to: Laurie Allen, Director of Communications.

WELCOME NEW COLLEAGUES

The MetroHartford Alliance is pleased to announce David Griggs, CEcD, EDFP, as its new President and CEO, effective March 12. Most recently, Mr. Griggs served as Vice President, Business Investment and Research at the Greater Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP) Regional Economic Development Partnership, a private-public nonprofit organization accelerating job growth and capital investment in 16 counties. During his tenure the organization worked on projects that created over 25,000 jobs while investing over $3.2B. His team also provided instrumental research support for winning the 2018 Super Bowl bid. Read more >>

Erik Assadourian has been named development director at The Rockfall Foundation. Erik has been a researcher with the Worldwatch Institute for more than 16 years. During that time he has directed five editions of Worldwatch’s annual book the State of the World, including the 2017 edition: EarthEd: Rethinking Education on a Changing Planet, the 2013 edition: Is Sustainability Still Possible? and the 2010 edition: Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability. Read more >>

Mendi Blue-Paca was recently named as vice president of community impact by the Fairfield County's Community Foundation. Mendi will lead the Foundation's grantmaking and major community initiatives to close the opportunity gap in Fairfield County, including the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Fund for Women and Girls and Thrive by 25. She is the key liaison between the Foundation and the nonprofit community, external constituent groups and local elected officials. Mendi brings diverse, cross-sector leadership experience to the Foundation. She has been a strategic consultant to more than 40 of the largest US-based philanthropic organizations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates, Ford, William and Flora Hewlett, W.K. Kellogg, Robert Wood Johnson, David and Lucile Packard and Walton Family foundations. Mendi has also served in public sector leadership positions, most recently as the Director of Development and Policy for the City of New Haven, where she secured $15 million in competitive funding for the city and developed strategies for innovation, advocacy, and process improvement. Learn more >>

Stefanie Boles has joined the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut team as Chief Financial Officer. Boles will provide strategic direction for the development and operation of United Way’s administrative, financial, legal and risk management operations. She will also oversee the Information Technology, Human Resources and Facilities Management functions of the organization. Boles takes over for Thomas Glynn who retired as CFO after nearly eight years with United Way. Boles has 20 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector, including 18 years of CFO experience at United Way of Greater New Haven. Boles is a member of United Way Worldwide’s Financial Issues Committee and was one of 20 United Way system leaders selected nationally to develop a framework for diversity and inclusion within the United Way network. Read more >>

About the Member eBrief

The Member eBrief, is a CCP members-only electronic newsletter. Members receive the monthly publication to keep them current on upcoming CCP programs, member and colleague news, trends, and new resources. Members are encouraged to send press releases, public events, announcements, newsletters, and colleague news to Laurie Allen, Director of Communications. 2018 Publication Dates: January 11, February 9, March 26, April 30, May 28, July 16, August 20, October 4, November 5, December 17. Submission Deadline: Close of business one week before the publication date.